CSSA Minutes: January 27, 2002
CSU San Marcos
CSSA Board of Directors Meeting
January 27, 2002, 9:00 - noon
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL Present: Bakersfield, Chico, Dominguez Hills, Fresno,
Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Pomona,
San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Marcos, Sonoma,
Stanislaus. (Hayward, 9:29 a.m.)
- CLOSED SESSION RE PERSONNEL MATTERS (pursuant to Education Code
§89307(c)(1)
- COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Communications Committee. Joe Salas listed the committee's
action objectives: 1) to hold a logo design contest; 2) to
redesign and revitalize the CSSA website; 3) to produce an
e-newsletter, the 1st issue of which would appear in late
March and report on the ASIs, Board of Trustees, campus constituencies;
4) to produce a year-end publication in May with one page
devoted to each ASI and describing CSSA's accomplishments
for the year. Motion to approve work on the website and production
of a year-end publication, Sacramento; second, Dominguez Hills.
PASSED. Motion to approve the logo design contest, with the
amendment that there be a stated deadline of February 25 and
that the prize not exceed $300, Humboldt; second, Stanislaus.
PASSED.
- CHESS Committee. Board members were exhorted to register.
San Bernardino moved to move consideration of Item G before Item C); second, Humboldt. PASSED.
- Administrative Affairs Committee.
- Quarterly budget update; executive travel spreadsheets.
Emily explained that "x" denotes money not yet
claimed or obtained from a campus AS or somewhere else.
The charge for Robert's San Francisco trip is actually
closer to $700-the spreadsheet doesn't reflect the car
rental. Emily said that outstanding "x's" will
be claimed within 1 week. Robert will reimburse CSSA $100
per month for 7 months, pursuant to an agreement worked
out in December. Robert explained. He said that in September,
he thought, he discussed getting together with Maribel
Martinez, San José, re globalization of education
and Jason Velo, San Francisco, re the Ed.D. Maribel was
in a marathon the designated weekend; she would call.
On Saturday, though, Robert was never able to reach her.
He got together with Jason Saturday night. Emily said
right after the trip it didn't look like an appropriate
charge, and, after talking it over and in consideration
of $30,000 of inappropriate charges last year, Robert
decided to pay for the trip himself. Ronda Newt-Scott,
San Francisco said, So on Saturday night at 3 a.m. you
arrived at Jason's house and declared it a campus visit.
She noted that you have to go to the campus to have made
a campus visit and added that Jason had just returned
that night from Puerto Rico. She said Robert was allegedly
inebriated. She said the amount of the charge is unimportant;
it's not ok to misappropriate funds-the chair cannot get
away with that. Robert replied it was not 3 a.m., it was
11 or 11:30; and he was not inebriated. Dan Cartwright
was also there. Manny Cardoza, San Bernardino, agreed
with Ronda. This is a matter of trust; Robert campaigned
on the plank that fiscal irregularities would never recur.
Manny said he felt betrayed and that Robert shouldn't
be chair. [Recording secretary absent for about 45 seconds
and didn't get Robert's reply.] Monterey Bay said the
charge comes as a shock: if true, Robert has betrayed
CSSA's trust and that of every student. It's in CSSA's
best interest to address the charge today. Veronica Shippy,
San Luis Obispo, asked Ronda if she, as president, would
have known of the campus visit. Robert interjected he
never intended it to be a campus visit. Humboldt asked
Robert if he did indeed meet with Maribel. Robert said
no. Humboldt asked Robert what he did do. Robert responded
he had intended to meet with Maribel but not having contacted
her, he hung out at the mall-he didn't sit the whole time
in his hotel room. Robert then said he intended to meet
with Jason Sunday. He added he would prefer this discussion
proceed with Maribel and Jason present. Natoya Blaylock,
Los Angeles, asked Robert: Did you say you'd meet with
Hayward? Robert said he'd talked to Nicole but nothing
materialized. Natoya asked if, when he couldn't reach
Maribel, did he think to contact Hayward? Robert said
no; he said he never considered this a campus visit to
either campus. The travel claim says "Ed.D. meeting."
Questioned by Ronda whether he was supposed to meet Jason
Sunday, Robert responded, Sunday, whenever. Ronda said
in fact Jason returned Monday night and asked Robert,
When did you get to San Francisco? Robert said he doesn't
know. Miles Nevin went with him?Miles had been asked to
work on the Ed.D. issue. Emilia Patrick, Humboldt, asked
Miles if he'd intended to be at the meeting; Miles said,
yes, he had. Motion to postpone discussion of this issue
until the next CSSA meeting when Jason and Maribel can
attend and limit discussion to 15 minutes, Fresno; second,
Dominguez Hills. FAILED. Ron Williams, San Diego, observed
there is no action item before the board and the issue
could be discussed all day. Robert is paying CSSA back,
and that's ok by Ron. Last year's improper expenditures
were different; they were swept under the rug. This discussion
is not accomplishing the work of students. Melissa Ortiz,
Humboldt, said this behavior has been seen before; CSSA
committed to having a code of conduct but it hasn't been
seen yet. Miles Nevin, Long Beach, said his campus was
to have developed the code and it did so and submitted
it to Shaun Lumachi. San Diego said the presidents are
developing a policy. Natoya said something needs to be
done, whether it's a slap or a recall. Absent Emily's
vigilance the travel claim would have been processed.
Emily Foster said Robert got an advance on the trip; that
one week after his return she told him he'd have to repay
the association. She said Robert said, no, he'd turn it
into a campus visit. Emily said they went round and round
awhile. Emily has talked to everyone involved. She told
Robert he'd have to prove it was a campus visit. They
agreed on repayment; then Robert backed out; then they
agreed on repayment again and Robert, Emily and Lori Erdman
drafted the letter agreement. (The travel claim was checked
for inclusive dates of the travel: it reflects departure
Saturday, 10/27/01, 14:31, and return Tuesday 10/30/01,
10:34.) San Francisco moved to remove Robert as Chair;
San Bernardino seconded. Emily said the constitution says
there must be 10-days notice of removal. At this point
Robert stepped down from chairing the remainder of this
discussion; Emily took over as chair. Motion to hold a
special meeting 10 days from today to consider recall
of the chair, San Bernardino; second, San Francisco. FAILED.
Mary Lee urged a no vote for the sake of this board's
work, with only a few months remaining, and because Jason
and Maribel are not present. She thinks the violation
minor; an ethics question would be a bigger question.
Motion to amend the motion by adding recall of the chair
to the next agenda, Sacramento; second, Los Angeles. Priscilla
Ocen, San Diego, would like a written statement by Robert.
José Solache, Dominguez Hills, thinks this is all
blown out of proportion-that it shouldn't even be on the
agenda. Motion to call the question, Monterey Bay; second,
San Diego. PASSED. Motion to add recall of the chair to
the Hayward agenda. PASSED. 14/0/1. Motion to have recall
election at Hayward. Roll call vote: voting in favor:
Bakersfield, Hayward, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Monterey
Bay, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San
Francisco, San Marcos; opposed: Chico, Dominguez Hills,
Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Sonoma. PASSED.
- Motion to approve executive travel policy, Stanislaus;
second, Los Angeles. PASSED.
- Motion to postpone action on retention summit expenditures
to Hayward meeting in February, Stanislaus; second, Los
Angeles. PASSED.
- Motion to approve CHESS budget, Stanislaus; second,
Los Angeles. PASSED.
- Motion to postpone to February meeting action on expenditures
on travel for liaisons, Stanislaus; second, Hayward. PASSED.
- Quarterly budget update; executive travel spreadsheets.
Emily explained that "x" denotes money not yet
claimed or obtained from a campus AS or somewhere else.
The charge for Robert's San Francisco trip is actually
closer to $700-the spreadsheet doesn't reflect the car
rental. Emily said that outstanding "x's" will
be claimed within 1 week. Robert will reimburse CSSA $100
per month for 7 months, pursuant to an agreement worked
out in December. Robert explained. He said that in September,
he thought, he discussed getting together with Maribel
Martinez, San José, re globalization of education
and Jason Velo, San Francisco, re the Ed.D. Maribel was
in a marathon the designated weekend; she would call.
On Saturday, though, Robert was never able to reach her.
He got together with Jason Saturday night. Emily said
right after the trip it didn't look like an appropriate
charge, and, after talking it over and in consideration
of $30,000 of inappropriate charges last year, Robert
decided to pay for the trip himself. Ronda Newt-Scott,
San Francisco said, So on Saturday night at 3 a.m. you
arrived at Jason's house and declared it a campus visit.
She noted that you have to go to the campus to have made
a campus visit and added that Jason had just returned
that night from Puerto Rico. She said Robert was allegedly
inebriated. She said the amount of the charge is unimportant;
it's not ok to misappropriate funds-the chair cannot get
away with that. Robert replied it was not 3 a.m., it was
11 or 11:30; and he was not inebriated. Dan Cartwright
was also there. Manny Cardoza, San Bernardino, agreed
with Ronda. This is a matter of trust; Robert campaigned
on the plank that fiscal irregularities would never recur.
Manny said he felt betrayed and that Robert shouldn't
be chair. [Recording secretary absent for about 45 seconds
and didn't get Robert's reply.] Monterey Bay said the
charge comes as a shock: if true, Robert has betrayed
CSSA's trust and that of every student. It's in CSSA's
best interest to address the charge today. Veronica Shippy,
San Luis Obispo, asked Ronda if she, as president, would
have known of the campus visit. Robert interjected he
never intended it to be a campus visit. Humboldt asked
Robert if he did indeed meet with Maribel. Robert said
no. Humboldt asked Robert what he did do. Robert responded
he had intended to meet with Maribel but not having contacted
her, he hung out at the mall-he didn't sit the whole time
in his hotel room. Robert then said he intended to meet
with Jason Sunday. He added he would prefer this discussion
proceed with Maribel and Jason present. Natoya Blaylock,
Los Angeles, asked Robert: Did you say you'd meet with
Hayward? Robert said he'd talked to Nicole but nothing
materialized. Natoya asked if, when he couldn't reach
Maribel, did he think to contact Hayward? Robert said
no; he said he never considered this a campus visit to
either campus. The travel claim says "Ed.D. meeting."
Questioned by Ronda whether he was supposed to meet Jason
Sunday, Robert responded, Sunday, whenever. Ronda said
in fact Jason returned Monday night and asked Robert,
When did you get to San Francisco? Robert said he doesn't
know. Miles Nevin went with him?Miles had been asked to
work on the Ed.D. issue. Emilia Patrick, Humboldt, asked
Miles if he'd intended to be at the meeting; Miles said,
yes, he had. Motion to postpone discussion of this issue
until the next CSSA meeting when Jason and Maribel can
attend and limit discussion to 15 minutes, Fresno; second,
Dominguez Hills. FAILED. Ron Williams, San Diego, observed
there is no action item before the board and the issue
could be discussed all day. Robert is paying CSSA back,
and that's ok by Ron. Last year's improper expenditures
were different; they were swept under the rug. This discussion
is not accomplishing the work of students. Melissa Ortiz,
Humboldt, said this behavior has been seen before; CSSA
committed to having a code of conduct but it hasn't been
seen yet. Miles Nevin, Long Beach, said his campus was
to have developed the code and it did so and submitted
it to Shaun Lumachi. San Diego said the presidents are
developing a policy. Natoya said something needs to be
done, whether it's a slap or a recall. Absent Emily's
vigilance the travel claim would have been processed.
Emily Foster said Robert got an advance on the trip; that
one week after his return she told him he'd have to repay
the association. She said Robert said, no, he'd turn it
into a campus visit. Emily said they went round and round
awhile. Emily has talked to everyone involved. She told
Robert he'd have to prove it was a campus visit. They
agreed on repayment; then Robert backed out; then they
agreed on repayment again and Robert, Emily and Lori Erdman
drafted the letter agreement. (The travel claim was checked
for inclusive dates of the travel: it reflects departure
Saturday, 10/27/01, 14:31, and return Tuesday 10/30/01,
10:34.) San Francisco moved to remove Robert as Chair;
San Bernardino seconded. Emily said the constitution says
there must be 10-days notice of removal. At this point
Robert stepped down from chairing the remainder of this
discussion; Emily took over as chair. Motion to hold a
special meeting 10 days from today to consider recall
of the chair, San Bernardino; second, San Francisco. FAILED.
Mary Lee urged a no vote for the sake of this board's
work, with only a few months remaining, and because Jason
and Maribel are not present. She thinks the violation
minor; an ethics question would be a bigger question.
Motion to amend the motion by adding recall of the chair
to the next agenda, Sacramento; second, Los Angeles. Priscilla
Ocen, San Diego, would like a written statement by Robert.
José Solache, Dominguez Hills, thinks this is all
blown out of proportion-that it shouldn't even be on the
agenda. Motion to call the question, Monterey Bay; second,
San Diego. PASSED. Motion to add recall of the chair to
the Hayward agenda. PASSED. 14/0/1. Motion to have recall
election at Hayward. Roll call vote: voting in favor:
Bakersfield, Hayward, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Monterey
Bay, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San
Francisco, San Marcos; opposed: Chico, Dominguez Hills,
Fresno, Fullerton, Long Beach, Sonoma. PASSED.
- Initial Review Board. Motion to approve committee members'
agreement on responsibilities, protocols and procedures, Sacramento;
second, San Diego. PASSED.
- University Affairs Committee. Motion to accept UA's nomination
of President Maxson, CSU Long Beach, as CSSA's President of
the Year, Long Beach; second, Hayward. PASSED. Chair Haleemon
Anderson expects a couple of resolutions to come out of UA
workgroups at Hayward. Also at Hayward will be a roundtable
discussion on UA's role. Deadline for that agenda is February
1, 2002.
- Legislative Affairs Committee. Motion to approve formation
of issue action committees, Sacramento; second, Chico. PASSED.
Motion to approve Assemblymembers Elaine Alquist and Marco
Antonio Firebaugh as CSSA Legislators of the Year, Sacramento;
second, Stanislaus. PASSED.
F) Multi Cultural Caucus. Motion to approve Speaker of the MCC as a member of the Executive Committee, Los Angeles; second, San Francisco.
- Communications Committee. Joe Salas listed the committee's
action objectives: 1) to hold a logo design contest; 2) to
redesign and revitalize the CSSA website; 3) to produce an
e-newsletter, the 1st issue of which would appear in late
March and report on the ASIs, Board of Trustees, campus constituencies;
4) to produce a year-end publication in May with one page
devoted to each ASI and describing CSSA's accomplishments
for the year. Motion to approve work on the website and production
of a year-end publication, Sacramento; second, Dominguez Hills.
PASSED. Motion to approve the logo design contest, with the
amendment that there be a stated deadline of February 25 and
that the prize not exceed $300, Humboldt; second, Stanislaus.
PASSED.
- EXECUTIVE REPORTS
(José Solache, Dominguez Hills, gave a report here since he was at Alumni Council yesterday. He stated the Alumni Council's focus as fundraising, along with the bond issue and the budget. How to get an alumni house was discussed. José reminded everyone that February 20 is Alumni Lobby Day and expressed excitement about CSU [Cares?] Day and the push for every campus to have a flag (apparently only Long Beach has one now).
- Robert Garcia, Chair. Friday's Executive Committee was
productive. Joan and Laura are doing well, and Robert is excited
about Susana's arrival. The governor's $4.5M increase for
CSU gives hope that the institution may not be hit as hard
as expected. Robert said he would never want to hurt CSSA,
that he was sorry if he has broken trust. He said he felt
he'd done good work and has represented CSSA well.
- Emily Foster, Internal Vice Chair. Emily noted that Fresno,
Monterey Bay, Northridge, San Bernardino, San Francisco and
San Luis Obispo have not paid their 2nd half dues.
- Joe Salas, External Vice Chair. Joe urged campus presidents
with their [external? or executive?] vice presidents to coordinate
the effort to get applicants for student trustee. He set a
goal of 2 applicants per campus. He said applicants shouldn't
be put off by the requirement of one year's experience in
student government, which he said could be interpreted broadly
as experience as a student in government or politics, for
example serving on a Greek council or multicultural committee.
He reminded the board that interview questions must be submitted
to him 2 weeks prior to the interviews on Friday, April 5th.
He needs campus representatives for the interview identified
by campus presidents in writing; those representatives must
be present for all interviews. If they're late, they don't
get to vote. Anyone who gives or asks for information about
interviews will be given a public reprimand. Joe asked for
volunteers to work on Communication Committee projects.
- Brandon Kline, Legislative Affairs Committee. Brandon recently
met with CalPIRG. CHESS will target legislators with 5 northern
California CSU campuses in their districts, Chico, Sacramento,
Sonoma, Stanislaus and Hayward. Students from those campuses
need to be present. With regard to policy agenda goals (see
handout appended to these minutes), things are looking good.
It looks as though Chancellor Reed will sign on to Youthvote.
SB 1204 is being revamped and is now a two-year bill.
- Haleemon Anderson, University Affairs Committee. There
will be progress on the policy agenda items of parking, housing,
sustainable design at the Hayward meeting. April 17th is CSU
Cares Day. Come to Board of Trustees meetings! There is a
revision to policy concerning campus health centers; February
8th is the deadline to [reply to a draft Executive Order to
replace EO 637?]. [Executive orders are on line through calstate.edu
website].
- Natoya Blaylock, Multi Cultural Caucus Speaker. Natoya
thanked the board for making her a member of the Executive
Committee. Those who attended the Multi Cultural Caucus yesterday
got a fabulous lesson on the history of Philippine Americans;
next time African Americans will present and, in May, Latinos/Latinas.
June is open. May 3rd has been set for the retention summit;
it will be somewhere in Southern California.
- Robert Garcia, Chair. Friday's Executive Committee was
productive. Joan and Laura are doing well, and Robert is excited
about Susana's arrival. The governor's $4.5M increase for
CSU gives hope that the institution may not be hit as hard
as expected. Robert said he would never want to hurt CSSA,
that he was sorry if he has broken trust. He said he felt
he'd done good work and has represented CSSA well.
- COMMENTS
Los Angeles read a thank-you from Humboldt to San Marcos for having recycling and vegan choices. Mary Lee thanked President Lyons for a brochure idea. Veronica reported that San Luis Obispo's multicultural center is celebrating its 20h birthday. She thanked President Baker for giving $4500 to send 21 San Luis Obispo students to CHESS.
Motion to adjourn, Hayward; second, San Bernardino, 11:30. PASSED.